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Harmon Den Decision Notice

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Harmon Den Decision Notice United States Forest National Forests in North Carolina PO Box 128 Department of Service Pisgah National Forest Burnsville, NC 28714-0128 Agriculture Appalachian Ranger District 828-682-6146 File Code: 1950-1 Date: May 29, 2009 Dear Interested Citizen: I have signed the Decision Notice (DN) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Harmon Den Project Environmental Assessment (EA) within the Appalachian Ranger District, Haywood County. The DN discusses in detail my decision and rationale for reaching it. A copy of it, the FONSI, and Appendix H are enclosed. My decision is subject to appeal pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 215.11. A written appeal, including attachments, must be postmarked or received within 45 days after the date this notice is published in The Asheville Citizen-Times, the Responsible Official’s newspaper of record (36 CFR 215.2). The appeal shall be sent to: National Forests in North Carolina; ATTN: Appeals Deciding Officer; 160-A Zillicoa Street; Asheville, North Carolina 28801. Hand-delivered appeals must be received within normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appeals may be faxed to (828) 257-4263 or mailed electronically in a common digital format to: [email protected]. Those who provided comments or otherwise expressed interest in a particular proposed action by the close of the comment period are eligible to appeal the decision (as per the Wilderness Society v. Rey ruling). Appeals must meet content requirements of 36 CFR 215.14. For further information on this decision, contact Michael Hutchins, Pisgah National Forest NEPA Coordinator at 828-682-6146. Sincerely, /s/Tina Tilley TINA R. TILLEY District Ranger Enclosure Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper Harmon Den Decision Notice United States Department of And Agriculture Finding Of No Significant Impact Southern Region Forest Service May Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest 2009 Haywood County, North Carolina Harmon Den Project Decision Notice & Finding of No Significant Impact Harmon Den Project USDA Forest Service Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest Haywood County, North Carolina Decision and Rationale Use and maintain existing classified (system) roads through reconditioning and reconstruction Decision which would include replacing undersized or damaged culverts, widening curves and Based upon my review of the alternatives, I have improving drainage structures. decided to select Alternative C (Selected Alternative) Replace damaged culverts on the Cold Springs of the Harmon Den Project Environmental Road (Forest Service Road (FSR) 148) and Assessment (EA – see also Section 2.2.3, Chapter 2) Cherry Creek. Reintroduce brook trout above on the Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National the culvert if rainbow trout are not identified in Forest and the Project Design Features listed in that reach of stream (completed in September Section 2.4, Chapter 2 and Appendix F of the 2008 under separate letter of direction). Harmon Den Project EA. The Selected Alternative Move the gate currently behind a wildlife field off will: the Cold Springs Road in Compartment 459 up to the Cold Springs Road. Harvest about 167 acres using the two-age Add six existing non-system roads (about 3 miles) regeneration harvest prescription and 33 acres to the Forest’s transportation system as D1 roads; using the overwood removal harvest prescription add one existing non-system road (about 0.2 (15-20 ft2 basal area retained per acre minimum mile) to the Forest’s transportation system as a and up to 25-30 ft2 basal area retained per acre in D3 road and place a gate on it; and add one places for scenery and in clumps in stands 451-7a existing non-system road (about ¼ mile) to the and 7b). This is about five acres less than Forest’s transportation system as a D5 road and Alternative C disclosed in Section 2.2.3, Chapter place a gate on it (see Roads Analysis, Appendix 2 of the EA. These acres were removed from G). two-age regeneration harvesting to ensure Develop about 0.3 miles of temporary roads for protection to cultural resources in the AA. harvest-related activities—following harvest- Harvesting will include developing about 8½ related activities they would be disked, seeded, acres total of log landings and skid roads within and closed. No new system roads will be harvest units (about 1 acre of log landings and constructed under the Selected Alternative. skid roads for each 25 acres harvested). Existing Decommission two existing unclassified (non- log landings and skid roads will be used where system) roads in Compartments 460 and 461 for available. Skid roads and log landings will be about 0.3 total miles and one system road (FSR constructed using North Carolina Forest 3522) in Compartment 461 off Interstate 40 for Practices Guidelines (FPGs) and Forest Plan about ¼ mile (about ½ miles total). standards (best management practices or BMPs). Retain the Rube Rock Trail (TR 314) and the Following harvest activities, unsurfaced skid Groundhog Creek Trail (TR 315) between roads and log landings will be disked and seeded Interstate 40 and Skiffley Creek Road (FSR 357). with an appropriate seed mix to reduce potential Volunteer recreation groups will maintain these for sedimentation and compaction. Skid trails sections of the trails. will be used where appropriate, but are different Close, decommission, and relocate dispersed than skid roads because they do not have a blade campsites between Cold Springs Creek and the used to cut into the soil – see definitions at end Cold Springs Road to less sensitive area, where of Appendix A of the EA. available. Close the existing dispersed site in Decision Notice & Appendix H 2 Harmon Den Project wildlife field near Forest Service Road (FSR) 148 harvested in the Preacher Timber Sale. The stand day-use parking area. was burned in 2005. Relocate the Cherry Creek Trail (TR 300) out of Develop a dispersed recreation site along FSRs the riparian area to reduce potential for impacts 148 and 148H just east of the Harmon Den day- to aquatic resources. use parking area. Control/manage non-native invasive plant My decision is based on a review of the record that species (including garlic mustard) along roads shows a thorough analysis of relevant scientific with herbicides (Glyphosate and/or Triclopyr) information and a consideration of responsible and manual treatment (about 5 acres total). opposing views. Perform Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) on approximately 694 acres of natural hardwood Rationale regeneration to ensure desired stocking density, species variety, and to control non-native invasive The purpose and need for the proposal is disclosed in species with hand tools and herbicide using Section 1.3, Chapter 1 and summarized below: Triclopyr amine and ester formulations applied Developing early successional habitat (ESH). with the cut surface and streamline applications Forest Plan standards are to provide at least 5% to release crop trees—non-native invasive species not to exceed 10% ESH in Management Area would be treated too. (MA) 2A; at least 5% not to exceed 15% ESH in Site prepare for natural regeneration using MA 3B; and not to exceed 10% in MA 4D herbicide and hand tools on an estimated 172 (Forest Plan, page III-31). Currently there is 0% acres of regeneration harvest using Triclopyr ESH in MAs 2A, 3B, 4D from previous ester and amine formulations with the cut stump harvesting. The purpose of the 205 acres of and streamline application methods to ensure regeneration harvesting is to develop additional establishment of a satisfactory stand within five ESH in the project area and increase the amount years after final harvest. All regenerated stands of hard mast producing tree species (oaks and would be monitored for desired stocking density hickories). and species variety with a stocking survey Improving timber stand conditions and providing conducted 3-5 growing seasons following site for a continuous supply of timber. The last preparation. Small enrichment plantings with timber harvest in the project area was over nine blight resistant American chestnuts or oaks may years ago (Preacher Timber Sale, 114 acres). The occur within hardwood regeneration areas on purpose of harvesting about at this time in this suitable sites if seedlings become available. AA is to improve stand conditions and provide Grape arbors, if present ranging in size from 0.1 timber supply. – 0.5 acres per 10 acres would be retained during Reducing competition and improving species the site preparation. composition in proposed harvest units through Release natural regenerated hardwoods on an hand tools and herbicide use. Competing estimated 211 acres regenerated using a 20% vegetation reduces vigor and amount of desired Triclopyr ester formulation by streamline tree species. The purpose of removing application method 1-3 years following site competition to residual species on about 694 preparation to control stump sprouts and non­ acres is to improve vigor and species native invasive plants. composition. Designate about 608 total acres of old growth Controlling non-native invasive species (including communities in Compartments 459, 460, 461, garlic mustard) through herbicide use along 472, and 473 within Management Areas 3B existing roads and trails, and historical routes. (timber management), 4C (visually pleasing Currently non-native invasive species are scenery), and 14 (Appalachian Trail Corridor). established in the project area. The purpose of Prescribe burn about 500 acres between Cherry using herbicides and manual treatments on about Creek, The Max Patch Road (SR 1182), and the 5 acres of non-native invasive species is to Cold Springs Road in the eastern portion of the control/manage their spread in the AA. analysis area. Appropriately maintaining approved trails; Prescribe burn a 50 acre stand in Compartment ensuring users are able to safely access them; and 470 off the Skiffley Creek Road previously trails and roads do not adversely impact aquatic Decision Notice & Appendix H 3 Harmon Den Project resources and water quality.
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